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Just curious about peoples opinions about Rapha clothing if they are worth the price/ opinions of the "retro" look, looks like some places are having some pretty good deals. I couldn't ever justify going to Assos or Capo, just too pricy/euro for me but looking for some new bibs/jerseys.

Also I don't think it's worth the high premium over Capo's more technical fabrics and I don't have experience with Assos. I have Capo for my team kit and also the Dorato, Martello and Padrone and couldn't be happier. You can also find them significantly cheaper on ebay or discounted on some websites. It seems that Rapha focuses on fashion and their brand image first and keeps the price high relative to what they offer.

I wanted to chime in on the other thread but decided not to add to the silly rhetoric. This thread however was started under the positive pretense. First, no shortage of haters or fanboys. I'll call myself out as a fanboy, I also ride my stem with spacers too high and forget to take photos with my chain in the large chainring so by the WW standards I'm sure I'm a lost case an not worthy of being listened to. So three years ago I bought a Long sleeve jersey from competitive cyclist on sale for $80. After a winter using this jersey it was the jersey I went to all the time so this led to me buying more summer jerseys from Rapha. Regardless of what anybody tells you the quality is great customer service is great whether it be from competitive cyclists or Rapha direct. And before you the haters jump on me I rode over 4000 miles this year with my chain in the small chainring and my stem too high wearing my Rapha jersey. I Also had on Assos shorts and DeFeet socks and undertee

Rapha has really found a niche for themselves on the market. Chapeau!That said the wool stuff and the everyday city riding stuff which can be used as casualwear is their force.You cant compare them to Assos or Castelli. Were talking fashion garments and old school wool garments as opposed to highly technical garments. Each to his own and Rapha has wisely decided to top off their image with stellar customer service.

I like Rapha clothing, have a couple jerseys but that's it. I find the quality is good and the price is fair as long as you wait for a good sale. The materials have been great in both summer and winter. I've owned my first jersey for a few years now and it's still holding up perfectly fine. There aren't any other brands out there with the same look of Rapha (that I'm aware of).

Honestly, the only issue I have with Rapha is that it doesn't mix well with non Rapha clothing. So if you worry about your clothes matching you're forced to invest a little cash or plan carefully.

mrowkoob wrote:Rapha has really found a niche for themselves on the market. Chapeau!That said the wool stuff and the everyday city riding stuff which can be used as casualwear is their force.You cant compare them to Assos or Castelli. Were talking fashion garments and old school wool garments as opposed to highly technical garments. Each to his own and Rapha has wisely decided to top off their image with stellar customer service.

I think you're being a little unfair. Rapha may produce will based jerseys but there is nothing untechnical about their kit. The team don't have stuff that is not available to the public, nor is it made by another company. Their Softshell jacket is one of the best rated on the market, before you take into account their customer service. I have both that jacket and the Assos 851. If anything the Rapha jacket is better than the Assos and is no more expensive than the 851 and way cheaper than its replacement.

inthedrops wrote:I like Rapha clothing, have a couple jerseys but that's it. I find the quality is good and the price is fair as long as you wait for a good sale. The materials have been great in both summer and winter. I've owned my first jersey for a few years now and it's still holding up perfectly fine. There aren't any other brands out there with the same look of Rapha (that I'm aware of).

mrowkoob wrote:Rapha has really found a niche for themselves on the market. Chapeau!That said the wool stuff and the everyday city riding stuff which can be used as casualwear is their force.You cant compare them to Assos or Castelli. Were talking fashion garments and old school wool garments as opposed to highly technical garments. Each to his own and Rapha has wisely decided to top off their image with stellar customer service.

I think you're being a little unfair. Rapha may produce will based jerseys but there is nothing untechnical about their kit. The team don't have stuff that is not available to the public, nor is it made by another company. Their Softshell jacket is one of the best rated on the market, before you take into account their customer service. I have both that jacket and the Assos 851. If anything the Rapha jacket is better than the Assos and is no more expensive than the 851 and way cheaper than its replacement.

I have both too and the Assos is way way warmer. The Rapha looks better...

The Rapha team clothing is quite technical. I have various Assos items ( have to say that Assos is massively overrated and overpriced), and the few Rapha items I got are imho nicer than that. the finish quality is the best I have seen on any cycle clothing. My wife, who is in the clothing business, is quite impressed.

I'm an Assos man so I'm a bit biased. Last year I wanted to get just some nice winter riding clothing to have between seasons of receiving new kits or changing teams. I was looking at Rapha and Assos, both at the upper end of the price spectrum and apparent quality. I got an Assos 851 jacket and I haven't looked back since. It's really the fit that made me choose it. I'm small, 5'9" 125 lbs. The size small 851 and especially the subsequent size small LS jersey I purchased afterwards fit better than any item, even LS skinsuits, have ever fit me before. A friend of mine trains a lot in both Assos and Rapha, and the Rapha fit looks awful. Loose hems, saggy chamois. At least compared to the Assos it's a lot less form fitting. Granted being small this may be unique. I've also just felt that there was a general lack of technology in Rapha, compared to Assos, especially for being the same price. I guess the point of this post is that I've found the Assos fit to be a lot better than Rapha, if you're a featherweight 5'9".

Rapha: I just don't get it. I am happy that they are happy and have happy customers. But I just don't get it.

Update: With reference to the thread about the made in China Rapha stuff: I think I do get it. I am a bit repulsed by Rapha's feeling that they need to publicise and create so much "drama" associated with their brand. It all started with those ridiculous videos. And now the excuses for having products made in China. Aside from the fact that their stuff seems just obscenely overpriced (which is just an opinion), can't they just make and sell cycling gear without so much appeal to snobbery ?